Vmoto E-Max 120S Review

Vmoto E Max 120s Electric Scooter Review
Vmoto E Max 120s
Vmoto E Max 120s 4000 Watt Ac Hub Motor
Vmoto E Max 120s Sla Battery Box
Vmoto E Max 120s Cockpit Mirrors Throttle
Vmoto E Max 120s Speedometer Display Console
Vmoto E Max 120s Front Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brake
Vmoto E Max 120s Locking Seat Storage And Power Charge Cable
Vmoto E Max 120s Rear Swing Arm Suspension
Vmoto E Max 120s Headlights And Front View
Vmoto E Max 120s Rear View Brake Lights Turn Signals
Vmoto E Max 120s Electric Scooter Review
Vmoto E Max 120s
Vmoto E Max 120s 4000 Watt Ac Hub Motor
Vmoto E Max 120s Sla Battery Box
Vmoto E Max 120s Cockpit Mirrors Throttle
Vmoto E Max 120s Speedometer Display Console
Vmoto E Max 120s Front Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brake
Vmoto E Max 120s Locking Seat Storage And Power Charge Cable
Vmoto E Max 120s Rear Swing Arm Suspension
Vmoto E Max 120s Headlights And Front View
Vmoto E Max 120s Rear View Brake Lights Turn Signals

Summary

  • A heavier electric moped ~420 lbs that uses SLA Silicone Lead Acid batteries and a gearless direct drive rear hub motor
  • Offers three drive modes including Eco, Normal and Max that limit the top speed and conserve battery for improved range
  • The earlier E-Max mopeds seemed to offer higher quality batteries and electronics, the seat storage box can be tricky to open at times, no longer being sold new

Video Review

Introduction

Make:

Vmoto E-Max

Model:

120S

Price:

$4,500

Body Position:

Upright Relaxed

Suggested Use:

Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Moped or Motorcycle (Class 4)
Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

NA

Availability:

Australia, Germany, United States

Model Year:

2013

Bicycle Details

Total Weight:

418 lbs (189.6 kg)

Battery Weight:

220 lbs (99.79 kg)

Motor Weight:

60 lbs (27.21 kg)

Frame Types:

Step-Thru

Frame Material:

Powder Coated Steel

Frame Colors:

White, Silver, Red, Blue, Pink

Geometry Measurements:

Dimensions: 1905 mm x 720 mm x 1140 mm, Wheelbase: 56 in

Frame Fork Details:

Basic Suspension

Attachment Points:

Luggage Hook, Optional Rear Rack

Handlebar:

Flat

Brake Details:

Hydraulic Floating Disc

Grips:

Rubber

Saddle:

Padded, Two-Passenger

Tire Brand:

Innova, 130/60-13

Wheel Sizes:

13 in (33.02cm)

Tire Details:

Uses Inner Tube

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Optional Rear Rack, Storage Compartment Under Saddle, Adjustable Matching Side Mirrors

Other:

Regenerative Braking and Reverse, AC Motor

Electronic Details

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Gearless Direct Drive Hub
Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

4000 watts

Motor Brand:

Power Eagle

Motor Torque:

54 Newton meters

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

60 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

2880 wh

Battery Brand:

Green Saver

Battery Chemistry:

SLA, Silicone Lead Acid

Charge Time:

5 hours (3 Hours with 240 Volt Charging)

Estimated Min Range:

20 miles (32 km)

Estimated Max Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Display Type:

Fixed Backlit LCD

Readouts:

Universal Stepper Speedometer Needle, Mode (Eco, Normal, Max), Battery Level

Display Accessories:

Turn Signals, Brights, Drive Mode, Horn

Drive Mode:

Twist Throttle

Top Speed:

42 mph (68 kph) (Optional Software Upgrade 50 mph)


Written Review

The Vmoto E-Max 120S is an electric moped or “scooter” capable of reaching higher top speeds (40 to 50 miles per hour depending on software configuration) delivering a moderate range of ~30 miles per charge at a good value. What sets the unit apart from other electric mopeds is its hub motor style drivetrain. Instead of relying on a chain or belt like many other mopeds, this scooter is propelled by a durable and simple 4,000 watt gearless direct drive hub in the rear wheel. The unit I tested was from 2013 and is no longer being produced or sold new but still held up very well (even in a heavy downpour). There’s an interesting historical element worth sharing here, the original E-Max scooters were designed in Germany and produced in China but later acquired in a somewhat hostile takeover by Vmoto (an Australian company) and subsequently rolled up into the Chinese manufacturer who had been producing them all along. In short, quality dropped a bit, the designs remained largely unchanged and the E-Max brand changed hands while a new German company called Govecs emerged to take its place. For what it’s worth, I tested this unit while earning my motorcycle license in the United States and it felt comfortable and intuitive though a bit heavy compared with newer Govecs models because it uses Lead Acid batteries vs. Lithium-ion. That’s what the S in the 120S stands for by the way… Silicone Sealed Lead Acid. If you see this scooter somewhere for sale it is likely used and the batteries would be worth testing because they will likely cost over $500 plus labor to replace.

As mentioned earlier, the motor is the real star of the show here! Offering 4,000 watts of power it’s quite zippy (even with the increased weight of the bike). Compared to some other drivetrain designs this one is simple and almost maintenance free. One downside is increased unsprung weight which adversely impacts suspension performance. This isn’t a huge deal for around town riding but it might change your focus from chain or belt tightening to suspension recharging. The swing arm that connects the main body of the bike to the rear wheel is single sided and this provides easy access to the motor itself on the right side of the bike. The motor can heat up during use so be cautious when touching it, thankfully it isn’t near your legs while riding and shouldn’t present any great risks during normal operation. The motor operates very quietly during rides as shown in the video review above. I was impressed and delighted while testing this bike but do believe the motor itself is heavier than canister designs used on some other bikes, at ~420 lbs the biggest complaint I have overall is weight.

Speaking of weight, the Silicone Lead Acid batteries powering this bike are quite heavy. They are much less expensive than Lithium-ion but also last half as long and can be more prone to degradation if discharged completely. For under $5k the Vmoto E-Max is an impressive machine but it emphasizes value and the weight thing can be a real deal killer if weight savings is one of your primary interests in e-scooters. I got to ride this unit back to back with newer Govecs machines and it was a lot less comfortable to start and stop from, more like a traditional gasoline powered motorcycle (which tend to be heavier). The pack offers 48 volts of power and 60 amp hours of capacity (nearly 3 kilowatt hours of juice) and consists of four 12 volt batteries wired together in series. All of the cells are stowed in the floor of the bike just in front of the rear wheel which keeps weight low and centered (and unsprung). Even when riding in the rain and through puddles late in the day I had no issues or concerns about potential issues. Please note that I never rode through water deeper than two inches, you might be asking for trouble if you completely submerge the deck and motor on this bike.

Operating the E-Max 120S is fairly straight forward, just hop on and kick the kickstand up then insert the key and twist. From here you can operate the headlight (switch to brights) as well as the turn signals (I love the light chime they make when active) and honk the horn. At any time you can twist the full-grip throttle on the right bar and the bike will take off… silently ;) The cockpit is simple and clean with a readout for speed, battery level and odometer. You’ve got adjustable mirrors that really work well (I prefer them over the newer Govecs designs because they are larger) and there’s a nice clip for hanging a personal bag or purse. Under the seat is a cozy storage area (that locks using the primary key). It’s much what you’d expect from a scooter but very simple compared to a motorcycle… No clutch or gears to worry about here, just a smooth and intuitive variable speed throttle. For an electric scooter in this price range the top speed is very impressive and I like the ability to switch to “slow mode” for training or neighborhood riding purposes. Doing so will greatly increase your range.

At the end of the day, this bike feels kind of special to me. It’s affordable but also fairly capable in terms of performance. It’s durable enough to be used as a training bike for years on end and even though it’s heavy, replacing batteries is a lot less expensive than if it used Lithium-ion cells. The hub motor design feels bulletproof and the suspension was comfortable enough, the lights worked, the fenders kept my pants dry and the rainbow of color choices adds an element of personalization. I was sad to hear about the hostile takeover of E-Max and the subsequent drop in quality but this thing is so simple, it doesn’t feel like many things can really go wrong. If you live in Europe, you probably see these machines zipping around quite frequently but here in the US it seems novel and is definitely a great unit for learners transitioning to motorcycles or higher powered electric bikes. The store I tested this at was based in Austin Texas and is called Electric Avenue. If you want to take a test ride, make a purchase or earn your motorcycle license on a quiet, light weight machine then give them a call.

Pros:

  • Nice chiming noise when the blinkers are on, helps you remember to shut them off after you’ve executed a lane change or turn
  • Simple and durable motor design, no belts or chains to maintain or tighten over time
  • Comes in a variety of colors for a fun personal touch, the silver one I tested stood out nicely for safety
  • Offers a low speed mode for riding around neighborhood environments (or training) which helps to extend range
  • Nice large mirrors are easy to adjust and really feel good when riding, more like an automobile
  • Locking seat stow uses the same master key as the bike and offers good space, this is also where the charging cable protrudes with a 10 foot lead for reaching your home or apartment

Cons:

  • Increased weight in rear wheel due to the hub motor design changes suspension dynamic (increased unsprung weight) and wears suspension more quickly, also handles less optimally
  • Heavier than many newer electric scooters due to the Silicone Lead Acid battery packs (this also keeps it more affordable though)
  • Quality on these electric motorcycles has dropped a bit since the brand was taken over by the Chinese manufacturing company that acquired Vmoto
  • May be difficult to find, test and purchase in the US (even if they were still being produced)

Resources:

Comments (2) YouTube Comments

George B. Sears
7 years ago

It seems there is a lithium battery version of this scooter, check it out here. The hub motor is intriguing. A reviewer seemed to enjoy the Vmoto scooter and posted a video here.

 
Court Rye
7 years ago

Great find George! Thanks for chiming in and sharing this information, might help others who are considering it :)

 

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